state, The golden canopy, the glittering plate; He seeks the refuge of monastic rest; “And his last sighs reproach the faith of kings." JOHNSON. It was not, however, without great reluctance that he abandoned The prospect of a return to power. Even in the extremity of sickness, the smiles of his capricious sovereign were a medicine of powerful effect. After perpetual repetitions of insults, during his residence at Esher, ་ At Christmas he fell very sore sicke, most likely to die, Whereof the king being advertised, was very sorry, and sent Doctor Buttes, his phisition, unto him, to-see in what estate he was. Doctor Battes came unto him, finding him lying very sicke in his bed: and perceiving the daunger retourned to the king. Of whom the king demaunded, saying, Have you seen yonder man? Yea, sir,' quoth he. How do you like him? quoth the king. Sir,' quoth he, if you awill have him dead, I warrant him he will be deade within these foure days, if he receive no comforte from you shortly, and Mrs. Anne. " Marye,' quoth the king, God forbid that he should die. I pray you, Master Buttes, goe againe unto him, and doe your care unto him, for I would not lose him for twenty thousande poundes.' Then must your grace, quoth Master Buttes, send bim first some comfortable inessage, as short#y as ye can.' Even so I will,' quoth the king, by you. And therefore make speede to him againe, and ye shall deliver him this ring from me, for a token,' (in the which ring was the king's image, engraved within a ruby, as like the king as could be devised,) This ring he knoweth right well; for he gave me the same; and tell him, that I am not offended with him in my harte nothing at all, and that shall he knowe shortly. Therefore bid him plack up his harte and he of good comforte. And I charge you come not from him, untill ye have brought him out of the daunger of death. Then spake the king to Mistress Anne Bullen, saying, Good sweete harte, I pray you, as ye love ane, send the cardinall a taken at my desire, with comfortable wordes; and in so doing ye shall deserve our thankes.' She not being dissposed to offend the king, would not disobey his loving request, whatsoever in her harte she intended towards the cardinall; but toke incontinent her tablet of gold, that hung at her girdle, and delivered it to Master Buttes, with very gentle and comfortable wordes. And so Master Buttes departed with speede to Asslar; after whom the king sent Doctor Cromer the Sco', Doctor Clement, and Doctor Wotton, to consulte with Master Buttes for my lordes recovery." Vol.i. pp. 470–472. In four days, the cardinal bad made a considerable progress. The intrigues of his enemies at length succeeded in removing hins to a greater distance from the king, and he was ordered to his archbishoprick of York. Adversity now seems to have produced upon his mind its usual effect; and, during his residence both at Southwell in Nottinghamshire, and at Cawood castle, near York, his demeanour appears to have secured him the love and veneration of all who knew him. Of his residence at Southwell, we have this account. Now let us retourne where we lefte my lorde, being now at the castle of Newarke, intending to ride to Southwell, which was but four miles from thence, as I shewed you before, He toke his journey thither against supper, where for Jacke of reparation of the bishoppe's place, which belonges to the see of Yorke, he was compelled to lie in a prebendaries house, over against the bishoppes place, and there kept house untill Whitsontyde, against which time he removed inżo the place, being then newly repaired, and there continued all the most parte of that sommer, not without great resorte of the most worshipful of the country. And divers zoblensin, having occasion to repaire into the same country there, thought it good to visit my lord, as they travailed through the country, of whom they were most gladly entertained, and had right good chere, whose noble and gentle behaviour caused him to have mach love in the country of all kinde of people. He kept there a noble house, where was bothe plenty of meate and drinke for all comers, and also muche almes given at the gate to the poore of the towne and country. He used much charity and clemency among his tenants, and other of the kings subjects. Although the hearinge thereof were not pleasaunt in the eares of rache as bare him no good will; yet the country and common people will say as they find cause; for now he was very much familiar among all persons, who then accustomably kept him company, and glad at any time when be might doe them any goode. He made many agreements and concordes betweene gentleman and gentleman, and be tweene some gentlemen and their wives, and other nieane persons, the which had hin long before asunder in great trouble; making for every of them, as occasion did serve, great assemblies and feastes, hot sparing his parse, where he might make a peace and anuity; which gat him much love and friendshippe in the country." Vol. i. pp. 490, 491 After some time a commission was sent to the Earl of Northumberland to arrest the Cardinal on a charge of high treason. The belief of omens was not yet gone by; and an occurrence at Cawood pre!pared Wolsey for this new calamity. "Nowe I am come to the place where I will declare that which I promised in the latter ende of the last chapiter, of a certaine signe or token of this my lord his trouble; which thing was this. "My lord sitting at dinner upon All-hallowne day, having at his borde end diverse of his worshipful chapleines, sitting at dinner to keep him company, for lacke of strangers, ye shall understande that accustommbly my lord his great crosse stood in a comer, at the table's ende, leaning against the tarpet or hanging. And when the borde's end was taken up, and a convenient time for the chapleines to arise, they forsed themselves to arise from the table; and even as they rose one Doctor Augustine, a Venetian and physitian to my lorde, rising from the table with the other, having upon him a preate gowne of boysterous velvet, overthrew my lorde's great crosse, which stode in the way at the borde's end; and trayling downe along the tappet, it fell upon Doctor Fonner's head, who stood by the tappet; and the point brake his head a little, that the blode ran downe. The company there standing according to their duty realy to give thanks to my lord for their dinner, were greatly astonied with the chaunce. My lorde sitting in his chaire, and perceiving the same, demaunded of them being next him what the matter meant of their sodaine arase. I shewed him of the fall of his crosse upon Doctor Bonner's head. Hathe it,' quoth he, drawne any bloud? Yea forsothe my lorde,' quoth I. With that he caste his heade aside, foking soberly upon. me a certaine space, and say unto He (shaking his heade); ' malum omen'*; andtherewith said grace, and rose up from thetable, and went into his bed chamber; but what he did there I knowe not. Nowe mark the signification, how my lorde expounded this matter unto me at Pomfret, after his fall. Firste, ye shall understande that the crosse, whiche he bare as archebishope. of Yorke signified himselfe; and Augustine the physitian, who overthrewe the crosse was only he that accused my lord, whereby ་ «* Malum omen.] The enemies of Archbishop Laud, particularly in the time of his troubles, were fond of comparing him with Cardinal Wolsey: and there is reason to think, that this life was first printed in the yeat 1641, for the purpose of prejudicing that great prelate in the minds of the him and the cardinal. However this may people, by insinuating a parallel between have been, the expression in the text recals to memory an affecting anecdote respecting' Laud, which the reader will not be dis pleased to find in this place. "The year 1639, we all know, was big. with events calamitous to Laud, and to the church and monarchy. In the Lambeth library is preserved a small pane of glass, in which are written with a diamond pencil the following words: Memorand: Ecclesiæ de Micham, Cheme et Stone, cuin aliis fulgare combustæ sunt Januar: 14, 1638-9. Omen. avertat Deus.' "On a piece of paper of the same size with the glass, and kept in the same casewith it, is written, by the hand of Archbishop Wake (as my friend Mr. Todd, MS. Librarian to his Grace the present Arch-bishop, informs me) as follows: This glasse was taken out of the west-window of the gallery at Croydon before E new.built it; and is, as I take it, the writing of Abp. Laud's own hand.'” Lis enemies caught an occasion to overthrowe him. It fell upon Master Doctor Bonner's heade, who was master of my lord's faculties and spirit all jurisdictions, and was then damnified by the overthrowe of the crosse; yea, and moreover, drawing of the bloud of him betokened deathe, which shortly after did ensue; about which time of this mischaunce, the same very day and season, Mr. Walche tooke his horse at the courte gate, as nighe as it could be judged. And so it must needes be taken for a signe or token of that which after followed, if the circumstaunce be equally weighed and considered; wherein, as I suppose, God shewed him some more secrette knowledge of his latter daies and ende of his troubles: wherein it was thought that he had further inspiration, than all men did knowe; which appeared righte well by diverse speciall communications that he had with me at diverse times of his last ende." Vol. i. pp. 507-510. The Earl of Northumberland, who had formerly been under the protection of Wolsey, lost no time in executing his commission. The removal of the Cardinal from Cawood excites an interest in his favour, which it is not easy to suppress. “As we were going downe out of the great chamber, my lorde demaunded where his servauntes were become; the which the earle and Mr. Walche had inclosed within the chappell there, because they should not trouble his passage. Notwithstanding my lord would not goe downe untill he had a sighte of his servauntes ; to whom it was aunswered that he might not see them. Why so?' then quoth my lord. I will not out of this house, but I will see my servaunts, and take my leave of them before I will goe any further.' And his servauntes, being in the chappell, having understanding that my lord was going away, and that they should not see him before his departure, they began to grudge, and to make suche a rutheful noise, that the commisioners were in doubte of a tumulte, to tarry among them; wherefore they were let out and suffered to repaire to my lord, in the great chamber; where they kneled downe before him; among whome was 10 one drie eye, but carnestly lamented their master's fall and trouble. To whome my lord gave comfortable wordes, and worthy praises for their dilligence, honesty, and truthe done to him heretofore, assuring them, that what chaunce soever shali happen him, he was a very true and a just man to his sovereigne lord. And thus with a lamentable manner, shaked every of them by the hand, "Then was he constrained to departe, the nighte drewe so faste on. And so my lord his horse, and ours were ready brought into the inner courte; where we mounted and comming to the gate to ride out; which was shut, the porter opening the same to let us passe, there was ready attending a great nomber of gentlemen with their servauntes, suck as the earle had appointed for that purpose, to attend and conduct my ford to Pomfret that nighte, and so forthe, as ye shall hereafter heare. But to tell you of the nomber of the people of the country that were assembled at the gate to lament his departing, I suppose they were in nomber above three thousand people; which at the opening of the gates, after they had a sighte of him, cried with a loude voice, God save your grace, God save your grace! The foull evill take them that have thus taken you from us! We pray God that a very vengeaunce may lighte upon them! Thus they ran after him, erying through the towne of Cawood, they loved him so well. Surely they had a great losse of him, bothe riche and poore: for the poore had by him great reliete; and the rich lacked not his counsell and helpe in all their troubles; which caused him to have such love among the people of the country." Vol. i. pp. 520, 521. "The next day my lord removed towards Doncaster, and came into the towne by torche lighte, the which was his desire, because of the people. Yet notwithstanding, the people were assembled, and cried out upon him, God save your grace, God save your grace, my good lord cardinall!" running before him with candles in their hands, who caused me to ride by his side to shadowe him from the people; and yet they perceived him, and lamented his misfortune, cursing his accusers. And thus they brought him to the Black-friars, within the which he was lodged." Vol. i. pp. 522, 523. On his arrival at Leicester, the sickness, of which he complained by the way, had increased in an alarming degrée. The account of his last moments shall conclude our quotations. Upon Monday in the morning, as I stoode by his bed side, about eighte of the clocke, the windowes being close shut, and having waxe lightes burning upon the cupborde, I beheld him, as me seemed, drawing faste towardes deathe. He perceiving my shadowe upon the wall by the bed side, asked who was there? Sir,' quoth I, ' 1 am here.' How doe you? quoth he to me. Very well, Sir,' quoth I, if I mighte see your grace well.' What is it of the clocke? saide he to me. 'Sir,' said I, it is past eight in the morning.'' Eight of the clocke? quoth he, that cannot be,' rehearsing diverse times, 'eight of the clocke,' eighte of the clocke,' 'nay, nay,' quoth he at last,' it cannot be eighte of the clocke: for by eighte of the clocke shall you lose your master: for my time draweth neare, that I must departe this world.' With that one Doctor Palmes, a worshipful gentleman, being his chapleine and ghostly father, standing by, bad me se cretly demand of him if he would be shriven, and to be in a readiness towardes God, what serer should chaunce. At whose desire I asked him that question. What have ye to doe to aske me any suche question ? quoth be, and began to be very angry with me for my presumption; untill at the laste Master Doctor tooke my parte, and talked with him in Lattine, and so pacified him. I were pitty that it should be imbeazled from you bothe. Therefore I shall require you, in the kings name, to tell me the truthe; to the intent that I may make just reporte unto his majestie of your answer therein.' With that my lord paused a little and saide, ⚫ Ob, good Lorde! how much doth it grieve me that the king should think in me any such deceite, wherein I should deceive him of any one penny that I have. Rather than I would, Master Kingstone, imbeazle, or deceive him of one penny, I would it were moulten, and put into my mouthe;' which wordes he spake twise or thrice very vehemently. I have nothing, ne never had (God be my judge), that I esteemed so much my owne, but that I tooke it ever to be the king's goods, having but the bare use thereof during my life; and after my death to leave it wholly to him: wherein be hath but prevented my intent and purpose. And for this money that ye deinaund of me, I assure you that it is none of mine, for I borrowed it of diverse of my friends to burye me, and to bestowe among my servantes, who have taken great paines about me, like true and faithful servantes. Notwithstanding if it be his pleasure to have this money from me, I must hold ine contente. Yet I would most humbly beseeche his Majestie, to see that satisfied, for the discharge of my conscience unto them that I owe it.' be they? quoth Mr. Kingstone. I shewe you,' saide my lorde. I borowed two hundred pounds thereof of Sir John Allen of London; and an other two hundred poundes of Sir Richard Gresham of London; also other two hundred poundes of the master of the Savoie, also two hundred poundes of Doctor Hickden, deane of my colledge in Oxenforde; and two hundred poundes of the treasurer of the churche of Yorke; and also two hundred poundes of parson Ellis my chaplen; and another one hundred poundes of a priest, that was then his steward, whose name I have forgotten; to whome I trust the king will restore the same againe, for as much as it is none of mine.' • Sir,' quoth Mr. Kingstone, there is no doubte in the king; whom ye need not to mistrust in that, but when the king shall be advertised hereof, as I shall reporte, at my retourne, of your earnest request therein, his grace will doe as shall bethis money? Mr. Kingstone,' quoth my come him. But Sir, I pray you, where is lord, I will not conceale it from the king; Who That shall "At afternoone Master Kingstone sent for me into his chamber, and at my comming there saide to me, So it is, that the king bath sent me letters by Master Vincent, one of your old companions, who bath bin in trouble in the towre for money that my lord should have at his last departing from him, which cannot nowe be founde. Wherefore the king, at this Vincents request, for the declaration of his truthe, hath sent him hither with his grace's letters, that I should examine my lord in that behalfe, and to have your counsell herein, to the intente my lorde may take it well and in good parte. This is the cause of my sending for you; therefore pray you of your counsell, what way is beste to be taken therein, for the true acquit tal of this pore gentleman, Master Vincent,' 'Sir,' quoth I, * as touching that matter, after mine advice, ye shall in your owne person sarte puto him to visite him, and in comunication breake the matter unto him, And if he will not tell the truthe, there be that can satisfy the kings minde therein. But in say wise, mention not, nor speake of my fellowe Vincent. And also I would advise you not to tracte the time with him; for he is very sicke, and I feare me he will not live pata day. Then went master Kingstone to visit him; and asked him first howe he did, and so forthe proceeded in conversation, wherein Master Kingstone demaunded of him of the sayd money saying, that my lord of Northumberlande hath founde a booke at Cawood that reporteth, that you had but fiteen hundred poundes; and it will not but will declare it unto you, or I dye, by the be founde, not so much as one penny thereof: grace of God. Take a little patience with to hath made the king privy of the same. Wherefore the king hath written unto me, to me, I beseeche you.' Well sir, then will I demand of you where it is become? for it that ye will tell me to morrowe.' Yea, that trouble you no more at this time, trusting CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 109. H I will, Mr. Kingstórie, for the money is safe enoughe, and in an honest man's keeping who will not kepe one penny thereof from the king.' And then the abbot of Leicester sent for Mr. Kingstone to supper; who then departed for that niglite. "Howbeyt my ford wazed very sicke, most likely to die that nighte, and often swooned, and as me thought drewe on faste to his ende, umill it was foure of the clocke of the morning: at which time I spake to him, and asked him how he did. Well, quoth he, if I had any meate; I pray you give me some." Sir there is none redy, saide I. I wis,' quoth he, ye be the more to blame: for you should have alwafes meate for me in a readiness, to eate when my stomache serveth me; therefore I pray you get me some; for I intend this day to make me strong, to the intent that I may oecopy my belfe in confession, and make me ready to God.' Then sir,' quoth I, I will cull up the cookes to provide some meate for you; and will also, if it be your pleasure, call for Mr. Palmes, that ye may common with him, untill your meate be ready. With a good will,' quoth he. And therewith I went fast, and called up the cookes bidding them to prepare some meate for my lord. Then went I to Mr. Palmes, and tould him what case my lord was in; willing him to rise, and resorte to him with spede. And then I went to Mr. Kingstone, and gave him warning, that, as I thought, my lord would not live; advis ing him that if he had any thing to say to him, he should make haste for he was in great daunger. In good faith,' quoth Mr. -Kingstone, ' ye be to blame : for ye make him believe that he is sicker, and in more daunger, than he is indeed. Well sir,' quoth I, 'ye shall not say another day but I have given you warning, as I am bound to doe, and discharge myself therein. Therefore. I pray you, whatsoever shall chaunce, let no negligence be ascribed to me herein; for I assure you his life is very shorte. Do therefore as ye thinke beste.' Yet nevertheless he rose, and made him ready, and came to him. After he had eaten of a cullace made of chicken a spoonful or two, at the Jaste quoth he, Whereof was this callace made? Forsothe sir,' quoth I, of a chicken.' • Why,' quoth he, it is fasting day,' (being St. Andrews even). What though it be,' quoth Doctor Palmes, ye be excused by reason of your sickness? Yea,' quoth he, what though? I will cate no inore.' "Then was he in confession the space of an houre. And when he had ended his confession, Master Kingstone came to him, and bad him good morowe; for it was about six of the clocke, and asked him how he old. Sir,' quoth he, I tarry but the pleasure of God, to render up my poore soute into his handes.' Not so sir,' quoth Master Kingstone,' with the grace of God, ye shall live, and do 'very well; if ye will be of good cheere.' Nay in good soothe, Master Kingstone, my disease is suche that I can. not live; for I have had some experience in phisicke. Thus it is: I have a fluxe with a continuall feaver; the nature whereof is, thisủ if there be no alteration of the same within eight daies, either must ensue excorriation of the entrailes, or frensy, or else present deathe ; and the best of these three is deathe. Andas! suppose, this is the eight day: and if ye ́see no alteration in me, there is no remedy, save that I may live a day or two after, but deathe, which is the beste of these three, must followe. Sir,' saide Master Kingstone, you be in such pensiveness, doubting that thing that in good faithe ye need not.' 'Well, well, Master Kingstone,' quoth my lord, “I see the matter maketh you much worse than you should be against me; howe it is framed I knowe not. But if I had served God, as diligently as I have done the king, he would not have given me over in my grey heares, But this is the juste rewarde that I must res ceive, for my diligent paines and study, that I have had, to do him service; not regarding my service to God, but only to satistye his pleasure. I pray you have ine most humbly commended unto his royal! majestie; and beseeche him in my behalfe, to call to his princely remembrance all matters proeceding betweene him and me from the beginning of the world, and the progresse of the same; and most especially in his waighty matter;' (meaning the matter betweene good 'Quech Katherine and him) and then shall his graces conscience knowe, whether I have offended him, or no. He is a prince of royall courage, and Hatha princely harte; and rather then he will miss or want any parte of his will or pleasure, he will endanger the losse of the one halfe of his realme. For I assure you, I have often kneeled before him the space sometimes of three houres, to persuade him from his will and appetite: but I could never dissuade him therefrom. There fore Mr. Kingstone, I warne you, if it chaunce you hereafter to be of his privy counsell, as for youre wisdome, ye are very mete, be well assured and advised, what ye put in his head, for ye shall never put it out againe.* Vol. i. pp. 537-543. Master Kingstone farewell. I can no more saye, but I wish ere I dye, all thing to have good successe. My tine draweth on |